Although the weather was dipping into the upper 30's at dawn, the morning was perfect for running. The frigid morning temps (and tailgating in Baton Rouge) likely kept some of the racers away. Between the Fun Run and the 5K we had approximately 150 racers cross the finish line.

After completing the race, the participants and volunteers enjoyed great Jambalaya prepared by Jason Herpin & Wyatt Tate with Double J Gulf Services. Chef Tiney with Agave Mexican Cantina was also on hand serving warm Mexican gumbo. Southern Bliss** was on stage playing some excellent Cajun music, kids enjoyed jumping in a Scooby Doo Fun Jump, courtesy of Acadiana Fun Jumps and the adults awarded themselves with beverages provided by Schilling Distributors. It was a great morning for The Super Cooper Heart Run!

Southern Bliss: T.J. and the band members volunteered their services and played their hearts out for us. Everyone was impressed with their music and asked about them. To learn more about Southern Bliss you can email southernblissband@gmail.com or call 337-783-5686 or 337-384-5723.

The morning didn't come without a couple of curve balls thrown our way. We did experience some issues with our bathroom facilities being locked...and then being hauled off by the rental company before the race was over. But the fine folks at Parc Sans Souci helped to save the day. And then there was the 18-Wheeler that blocked our road 2 blocks from the finish line. Fortunately 90% of the racers had already completed the race. But those left on the route had to take the sidewalk to go around the massive truck.

Looking back on these unfortunate turn of events, it reminds me that sometimes things won't always go our way and we have to overcome certain obstacles the best we can. The same can be said for children born with heart defects and serious medical conditions. These children and their families have to learn to adjust. With help from others the adjustment doesn't always have to be difficult. Which is why The Super Cooper Heart Run exists...to help others when facing adversity.

This year the Super Cooper Heart Run raised $10,000 in proceeds benefiting Camp Bon Coeur, a local heart camp for kids born with heart defects. To date, the Lafayette Super Cooper race has raised over $42,000 in proceeds from all 6 Lafayette races - 100% of this money stays right here in Acadiana helping children born with heart defects.

We would like to send out a special thanks to all of our sponsors who helped make this possible. Without your generosity our cause and our event could not be possible.

Thanks also goes to our participants for battling the colder weather to come out and run our race. It was nice to see our friends from Houma make the 1 1/2 hour drive to run 3.1 miles in freezing weather. We also enjoyed the support shown from racers driving in from Eunice, and other parts of Louisiana. Cajun Fitness club members and employees were also in full force - special thanks to Cajun Fitness owner Micah Smith for helping to promote our race. And a very special thanks goes to all of the "Team Cooper Hebert" participants supporting our cause!

We cannot forget the volunteers who helped with the registration tables and who kept the runners safe along the race route. Members of Delta Sigma Pi helped out as did other volunteers (over 20 in all) from Mamou, Houma and the entire surrounding Lafayette area. Thank you for your help.